Slain Officer Was Expecting Child

A slain Kansas City, Kansas, police officer had been awaiting the arrival of another child.

Police said in a release Wednesday that Capt. Robert Melton’s partner was pregnant and due to give birth this winter.

Melton was shot and killed Tuesday when he was responding to a police call. Authorities say the attack wasn’t a planned ambush. Two suspects are in custody.

Police say Melton has three other children from previous relationships, and that Melton’s pregnant partner also has two children.

Police say he also leaves four brothers and five sisters.

Melton was also a decorated veteran who served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli said Wednesday in a statement that Melton served in the guard from 1986 until he retired in 2012. He says there are “many heavy hearts” after Melton’s death, which he calls a “senseless tragedy.”

The guard says Melton served in Iraq in 2006 to 2007 and in Afghanistan from 2010 to 2012, and received several military honors, including the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster.